HEART project bringing new 'life'

SOME 130 candidates graduated from the Local Initiative Facility for the Environment (LIFE) Youth Education and Recreation programme on Tuesday at the Garmex HEART Academy, downtown Kingston.

Velva Lawrence, executive director for LIFE, spoke highly of the candidates, saying that they have excelled in programmes such as literacy and numeracy, computer and parenting skills. She noted that the parenting aspect was the main focus.

"We are really here to celebrate with these students, as they all will be receiving certificates, and will be recognised for participating in the programme. We have 66 males and 64 females graduating, and we are very happy, especially with the males," she said.

thankful for project

Owen Bonner expressed his appreciation for the project, saying he was a much better parent after the course. Bonner shared that he has learnt more effective ways to handle certain situations in the household, and to be more involved in his children's lives.

"Well, di programme help me a lot and mi know how fi handle certain situations better. I'm now involved in my children's lives 'cause more time mi did too busy, but di programme help mi a far way," he declared.

The programme was also of great assistance to Kenisha Brown. She said she was a high-school dropout due to teenage pregnancy, and as a result was not able to take any Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) subjects. However, after being introduced to the programme, she sat three CSEC subjects, and was looking to move on to participate in entrepeunership training in order elevate herself and to care for her child.

Brown also noted that she used to shout a lot at her child. However, after participating in various parenting sessions, she noted that her eyes have been opened to more effective ways of disciplining her daughter.